ATAR Notes: Forum

VCE Stuff => VCE Science => VCE Mathematics/Science/Technology => VCE Subjects + Help => VCE Biology => Topic started by: forchina on March 13, 2012, 09:21:52 pm

Title: stupid question - difference between organic molecule and organic compound?
Post by: forchina on March 13, 2012, 09:21:52 pm
Hi, sorry this may seem like a really stupid question but what is the difference between organic molecule and organic compound? The text book seems to use it interchangebly but sometimes I get confused between the two. Can somewhere care to explain me what the difference is?
Title: Re: stupid question - difference between organic molecule and organic compound?
Post by: saheh on March 13, 2012, 09:22:51 pm
Simply put: organic contains carbon
Title: Re: stupid question - difference between organic molecule and organic compound?
Post by: pi on March 13, 2012, 09:28:04 pm
This is a pretty dodgy question, as there are different definitions depending on what book you look at.

I'd tend to agree with this:
Simply put: organic contains carbon

But some say that "organic molecules" are defined by having one or more C-H bonds or having one or more C-C bonds (both with specific exceptions).

It's not something you should be asked on an exam.
Title: Re: stupid question - difference between organic molecule and organic compound?
Post by: forchina on March 13, 2012, 09:35:31 pm
Okay thanks. This question has been bothering me for a while. ???


Quick question - so could i use them interchangebly in an exam?
Title: Re: stupid question - difference between organic molecule and organic compound?
Post by: LOLs99 on March 13, 2012, 09:39:57 pm
They assume u knew it , so they won't appear on the exam.
Organic molecules- complex carbon containing, can't put organic contains carbon because CO2 is an inorganic molecule( but contain carbon in a simple form)

 BTW no question is stupid ! If u ask a question, it means you wanna be smart, so why is it a stupid question ;)
Title: Re: stupid question - difference between organic molecule and organic compound?
Post by: pi on March 13, 2012, 09:40:22 pm
Quick question - so could i use them interchangebly in an exam?

Organic and inorganic? If so, no, they are different despite the definitional issues)
Title: Re: stupid question - difference between organic molecule and organic compound?
Post by: Shenz0r on March 13, 2012, 09:58:49 pm
Organic molecules generally contain Carbon and Hydrogen.

Inorganic molecules are generally your metals (such as Na+, K+, Cl-, and all that jazz), but water is also considered an inorganic molecule by some (as it lacks carbon), as well as CO2, which lacks hydrogen.